Thank you for your interest in weddings at Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Couples say weddings here are magical … like a fairy tale!
To inquire about weddings, (or venue rental, outdoor or indoor space), please call 501.262.9608 or email GWGweds@uark.edu.
Whether you have your heart set on an elegant wedding in a stunning chapel with vaulted glass ceilings that reach to the sky or an intimate romantic outdoor ceremony in our lush gardens – you will find the perfect setting at Garvan Woodland Gardens.
We are the 210-acre botanical garden of the University of Arkansas located on the shore of beautiful Lake Hamilton in Hot Springs, just 45 minutes southwest of Little Rock. The Ouachita Mountains surrounds us.
With breathtaking bridges, waterfalls and cascades, stunning architectural features, and beautiful flowers year round, the gardens offer the perfect setting for making lifetime memories.
As soon as you enter our botanical oasis, you’ll see why Garvan Woodland Gardens has been recognized as one of the most spectacular gardens in America.
We invite you to tour the gardens and discover the many venues available for weddings, as well as social, non-profit or for corporate events.
Garvan Wedding Pricing
ANTHONY CHAPEL WEDDINGS – CAPACITY 200
| Monday – Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
| Afternoon & Evening | $3,500 | $4,000 | $5,000 | $4,000 |
| Morning | $3,500 | $3,500 | $4,500 | $3,500 |
| 1-hour Up to 15 guests 16 to 50 guests | $1,000* $1,500* | N/A | N/A | $1,000* $1,500* |
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 1-hour rehearsal prior to wedding, usually the day before
- 3-hour rental of Anthony Chapel, Millsap Bride’s Hall & Evans Groom’s Quarters
- Property manager, security guard, sound support
- Entry into Garvan Woodland Gardens on the day-of for all wedding guests (n/a during Holiday Lights)
- Complimentary Bridal Portrait Pass in the Gardens (must be reserved)
*Anthony Chapel – 1 hour rental (Sunday – Thursday, daytime ONLY) – Millsap Bride’s Hall, Evans Groom’s Quarters, rehearsal, sound support, and Garden admissions are not included. 15 person maximum strictly enforced. 16 – 50 person $1,500.00
RECEPTION VENUES – 8 HOUR RENTAL
| Price | Area | Capacity | Notes | |
| Garvan Pavilion & Terrace | $3,000 | 60’ x 40’ under pavilion | 200 | Open-air Fay Jones & Maurice Jennings Architecture, inside the Gardens |
| Magnolia Room | $1,500 | 45’x 30’ main room | 75 | Fully climate-controlled, inside the Welcome Center |
| Millsap Bride’s Hall | $1,250 (Monday -Thursday only) | 23’ x 21’ main room | 48 (indoor + covered breezeway) | Closest to Anthony Chapel, with private restrooms and kitchen |
FEATURED RENTALS – GARDEN WEDDINGS – ELOPEMENT – OUTDOORS
| $500 Monday – Friday only | $1,000 1 hour | $2,000 | 4 hours | $2,250 | Mon – Thu only |
| Elopement or proposal with property manager. Includes photography pass and 8 Garden admissions. | Dooley Pergola at the Great Lawn 20 chairs 30-person maximum | Perry Wildflower Overlook with one golf cart shuttle and 35 chairs 40-person maximum | Evans Celebration Garden wedding with small reception at Millsap Bride’s Hall. 48-person maximum |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum capacity of each venue?
Anthony Chapel – 200
Garvan Pavilion & Terrace – 160
Magnolia Room – 75
Celebration Garden – 48
Millsap Bride’s Hall – 40/48 (indoor only/indoor+outdoor)
Perry Wildflower Overlook – 40
What is the first step to book a wedding?
We’ll need to draft a contract and send to you through DocuSign via email. We don’t accept payments until the signed contract is returned to us. When you are ready to book your wedding or reception, we place a courtesy hold on your date and time and send you the contract. You’ll have 48 hours to review the contract, sign it and return it through DocuSign. (It’s super easy.) For us to draft a contract, here’s the information we need:
- first and last names of couple
- mailing address
- TWO phone numbers
- email address
- preferred date and time with 2nd and 3rd choice noted
- estimate attending
- actual ceremony time
- reception at GWG or off site
You’re welcome to send the above information to our email GWGweds@uark.edu or call 501-262-9608, whichever is more convenient for you. Either way you choose to communicate to us, we’re also happy to answer questions about any details you might need. When calling and leaving a message for us to return your call, please be patient with us, as the volume of daily calls is high and sometimes we’re out of the wedding office on tours. Please know, all calls will be answered by the order in which they were received.
Payments?
We accept credit cards or debit cards, by phone. Please call 501-262-9604, Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM until 3:30 PM. You may pay by check, but should you ever need a refund – please know it can take 90 days for refunds by check.
What is the difference between my initial deposit and my security deposit?
Initial deposits reserve the desired space and date. It is half of the total price and must be paid upon booking. The security deposit is $750 and is due with the final payment. It is completely refundable after your event – given that no damages are incurred and all policies are followed. Policy violations will forfeit this refund.
When is my final payment due?
All payments and additions must be made 30 days before your event. Nothing may be changed or added within 30 days of your day.
What if my event is during Holiday Lights?
Mr. & Mrs. Claus at the Pavilion
What if my event is during Holiday Lights?
Our Holiday Lights show runs from mid-November through December 31. (For 2024, this will be Nov. 23 – Dec. 31.) During this time, all events must be completed by 3 pm. In other words, the latest wedding during Holiday Lights is noon – 3 PM. Additionally, no receptions are held at GWG during Holiday Lights. The Gardens will also be decorated for the holidays as early as November 1st, meaning some venues may have decorations that cannot be removed for your event. Examples of this would be Christmas trees at the Pavilion, a Christmas Village in the Magnolia Room, or a 20-ft Christmas tree decorated with only white lights in Anthony Chapel.
Golf cart parking shuttle pre- and post-ceremony not available during Holiday Lights. Photo sessions limited to Garden brides only during Holiday Lights.
The entrance to GWG will at the service road during this time period.
Garvan Gardens is closed each year the entire month of January.
What additional items and services are available from GWG?
For additional fees, GWG offers some items and services, including golf cart shuttle service, candelabras, extra chairs or tables, or outdoor sound support. All items and services require 30-days’ advance notice and payment. Please note: a sound tech is a $250 add-on for One-Hour Weddings at Anthony Chapel.
What are the 3-hour time slots at Anthony Chapel?
Morning: 10 am – 1 pm
Afternoon: 1:30 – 4:30 pm
Evening: 5 – 8 pm
*one-hour weddings available from 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday through Thursday only*
Are any discounts offered?
GWG offers a 10% discount toward Anthony Chapel for GWG Members at the Patron level and above – up to $500 off!
For new bookings of 3-Hour weddings held in February, July or August, there is a 50% discount.
Which dates are subject to holiday pricing?
Bookings on Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Halloween, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve are an additional $500. Garvan Woodland Gardens is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day, along with the entire month of January (events will not be booked on these days).
Why is a professional day-of wedding coordinator required?
Your professional wedding coordinator is responsible for the planning and timing of your event. Garvan Gardens will provide a property manager to protect and make available the venue. Your coordinator will conduct the moving parts of the event, including the rehearsal and ceremony. For small weddings of less than 15 (including officiant and photographer), the coordinator is not required.
What does my professional coordinator need to provide to GWG?
Your professional coordinator must provide GWG with proof of commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $1,000,000 with University of Arkansas and the Board of Regents as named insured.
For the wedding, an event timeline and vendor list with contact information is due at least 14 days prior to the event. The timeline should include details for the order of your ceremony.
Can I reserve a golf cart for use at my event?
Golf carts can be reserved for an additional fee of $150 per hour. 30-days’ notice and advance payment is required. A driver is included and golf carts can carry 5 people at a time. They cannot be used to carry equipment or flowers. Examples of golf cart rental include:
- shuttle for bridal or engagement photo pass (Garden brides only during Holiday Lights)
- pre-ceremony guest shuttle and post-ceremony guest shuttle (not available during Holiday Lights)
- bride & groom post ceremony photo shuttle
More questions?
Please call 501-262-9608, 501-262-9604 or send an email to GWGweds@uark.edu.